Mrs. Mallard
Josephine- her sister
Husband's friend, Richard
Mrs. Mallard has a heart affliction
1894- published
Richard reports to Mrs. Mallard that her husband was killed in a train accident
Mrs. Mallard felt freedom now that her husband is dead. She had suffered in her relationship with him and he never looked at her with love in his eyes
Mrs. Mallard unlocks the door to her bedroom and walks down the stairs with her sister to begin her new life without her husband
Mr. Mallard opens the front door to the house. He was far from the train accident and was very much still alive. Mrs. Mallard died "of the joy that kills" (irony- dramatic and verbal)
There are still many couples today in unhappy marriages. There are social expectations of males and females. There are social expectations in regard to how one should deal with death.
"She breathed a quick prayer that life might be long. It was only yesterday she had thought with a shudder that life might be long" (Chopin).
Josephine- her sister
Husband's friend, Richard
Mrs. Mallard has a heart affliction
1894- published